PNGRB, World Bank To Study Possibility Of Hydrogen Transmission In Gas Pipelines

The Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) has announced that it has partnered with the World Bank and has launched a study to chart the course for hydrogen transmission through natural gas pipelines and city gas distribution networks.

PNGRB has clarified that this move signifies a significant step in India’s pursuit of clean energy, according to an official statement from the regulatory body.

The study will be a part of India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission. PNGRB held that the study aims to analyze the demand and supply dynamics of hydrogen, evaluate the technical compatibility of existing pipeline networks, scrutinize commercial and regulatory aspects. The study will also enable the policy makers formulate a comprehensive roadmap for hydrogen blending until 2040.

The World Bank and ICF have facilitated consultations with diverse stakeholders, resulting in draft reports covering aspects such as the mapping of low-carbon hydrogen demand-supply, technical requirements for the pipeline sector, assessment of consumer impact, and a review of policy and regulatory frameworks influenced by global benchmarks.

Moreover, the PNGRB is gearing up to organize a significant stakeholder meeting in January 2024, where experts in hydrogen production, storage, and transportation will be engaged. This initiative underscores India’s dedication to emission reduction and the adoption of clean energy technologies to meet future energy demands. The complete findings of the study are anticipated to be unveiled in the forthcoming months.

Indian policymakers are bullish on the hydrogen sector and also on ‘green hydrogen.’ Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has also reviewed the draft Green Hydrogen policy of the largest state of the country and the roll out is expected shortly.

A day before, Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) announced the winners – that include Reliance Green Hydrogen and Green Chemicals (Reliance), HHP Two (Hygenco), ACME Cleantech Solutions, Greenko ZeroC (Greenko) and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL) – of its green hydrogen tender for the establishment of production facilities generating 450,000 metric tons (MT) of green hydrogen per annum.